Robert W. Mullen 72, of North Dartmouth died at home after a long and courageous battle with complications of diabetes. He celebrated his 50th wedding anniversary in 2011, with his college sweetheart, Marcia (Keller) Mullen.
He was a loving father and role model for his four children. He is survived by his daughter, Sherri and her husband Brien Buelow of Bartlett, IL, his son, Scott and wife Laura of Bettendorf, IA, his daughter, Kelly and her husband Paul Krumenacker of Doylestown, PA and his son Robert and his wife Barbara of Skippack, PA. He was also an extremely proud grandfather of thirteen unique and wonderful grandchildren. He maintained a close relationship with his only brother, Andrew M. Mullen, Jr. and wife Mary of Palatine, IL. He also enjoyed the friendship of his brother-in-law, Robert Simonini and late sister-in-law, Karen (Keller) Simonini of Crystal Lake, IL . His four nieces were all very close and loved.
He began his life in Newark, Ohio. He was the eldest son of the late Andrew Mahla Mullen and Helen (Meisel) Mullen. His roots however, were in the Philadelphia area and the “shore” at Cape May, NJ. During his childhood, there would be an annual summer vacation at the New Jersey beaches. He continued this tradition with his wife and children and eventually all of his thirteen grandchildren. His burial is therefore appropriate at Cape May.
Bob’s outgoing personality was manifested in his choice of careers. He loved coaching men’s basketball and was rewarded with 8 conference championships at Galena High School in Galena, IL and a trip to the NAIA finals while coaching at Loras College in Dubuque, IA. However, there was more than a win-loss record that bound him to his players, he cared for each one personally and they responded in kind. These were “happy days”.
As a Director of Athletics, his administrative honors included being Chairman of the Big Five in Philadelphia, Member of the NCAA Nominating Committee and National Voting Delegate to the United States Olympic Committee. He was also very pleased to bring football back to Loras College and secure membership in the Atlantic 10 Conference for LaSalle University.
During his tenure at U-Mass Dartmouth, Bob was responsible for Shrine Day and the Annual Cross Country Invitational, the Hampton Inn Basketball Classic, Parent’s Day, the Presidents Cup Football Classic and the ABC television show, “Corsair Sports”. He also secured a grant for the National Youth Sports Program from the NCAA for area youth.
In his final days, his family made several trips to visit him. They indulged him with his favorite foods along with words of love and encouragement. He was also cheered by phone calls from his former players, both from Galena High School and Loras College. It filled him with pride to hear of their successes in life. Old friends remained true and kept in close contact during this time. Newer friends were able to be at his bedside enjoying conversation, food and TV with him. He was blessed...
Funeral from the Saunders-Dwyer Home For Funerals, 495 Park St. New Bedford, Thursday, March 29th at 9 AM. Funeral Mass at St Mary’s Church in South Dartmouth at 10 AM. Visiting hours Wednesday, March 28th from 4-7 PM. Burial will take place at St. Mary’s Cemetery, 1056 Seashore Road, Cape May, NJ after a memorial service at the Evoy Funeral Home 3218 Bayshore Road, North Cape May, NJ on Saturday at 10 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 10 Speen St. Framingham, MA 01760.